ZipDecode

Ben Fry
is a doctoral candidate at the MIT Media Lab. His research focuses on methods of visualizing large amounts of data from dynamic information sources. ZipDecode
is a very simple visualization of how US zip codes are mapped. Every zip code is represented by a dot; as you press the number keys that correspond to a zip code, the dots from that area are highlighted. For example, if you press '0' then New England is highlighted, then pressing '5' highlights Vermont. You proceed with a specific zip code and upon entering the 5th digit, the appropriate single dot remains highlighted and the name of that city or town appears. Try it, you'll never believe zip codes could be so interesting!